\input texinfo @c -*- Texinfo -*-
@setfilename binutils.info
+@include config.texi
@ifinfo
@format
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
-* Binutils: (binutils). The GNU binary utilities "ar", "ld", "copy",
- "objdump", "nm", "size", "strip", and "ranlib".
+* Binutils: (binutils). The GNU binary utilities "ar", "objcopy",
+ "objdump", "nm", "nlmconv", "size",
+ "strings", "strip", and "ranlib".
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
@end format
@end ifinfo
@ifinfo
-Copyright @copyright{} 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 1997 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
@synindex ky cp
@c
-@c This file documents the GNU binary utilities "ar", "ld", "copy", "objdump",
-@c "nm", "size", "strip", and "ranlib".
+@c This file documents the GNU binary utilities "ar", "ld", "objcopy",
+@c "objdump", "nm", "size", "strings", "strip", and "ranlib".
@c
-@c Copyright (C) 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@c Copyright (C) 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 1997 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
@c
@c This text may be freely distributed under the terms of the GNU
@c General Public License.
@c
@setchapternewpage odd
-@settitle GNU Binary Utilities
-@c @smallbook
-@c @cropmarks
+@settitle @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
@titlepage
@finalout
-@title The GNU Binary Utilities
-@subtitle Version 1.97
+@title The @sc{gnu} Binary Utilities
+@subtitle Version @value{VERSION}
@sp 1
-@subtitle October 1991
+@subtitle May 1993
@author Roland H. Pesch
+@author Jeffrey M. Osier
@author Cygnus Support
@page
@tex
-\def\$#1${{#1}} % Kluge: collect RCS revision info without $...$
-\xdef\manvers{\$Revision$} % For use in headers, footers too
-{\parskip=0pt \hfill Cygnus Support\par \hfill \manvers\par \hfill
+{\parskip=0pt \hfill Cygnus Support\par \hfill
\TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par }
@end tex
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
-Copyright @copyright{} 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+Copyright @copyright{} 1991, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 1997 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
@end titlepage
-@node Top, ar, (dir), (dir)
-@chapter Introduction
+@node Top
+@top Introduction
@cindex version
-This brief manual contains preliminary documentation for the GNU binary
-utilities (collectively version 2.1):
+This brief manual contains preliminary documentation for the @sc{gnu} binary
+utilities (collectively version @value{VERSION}):
@iftex
@table @code
@item ar
Create, modify, and extract from archives
-@item copy
-Copy and translate object files
-
@item nm
List symbols from object files
+@item objcopy
+Copy and translate object files
+
@item objdump
Display information from object files
Generate index to archive contents
@item size
-List section sizes and total size
+List file section sizes and total size
+
+@item strings
+List printable strings from files
@item strip
Discard symbols
+
+@item c++filt
+Demangle encoded C++ symbols
+
+@item addr2line
+Convert addresses into file names and line numbers
+
+@item nlmconv
+Convert object code into a Netware Loadable Module
+
+@item windres
+Manipulate Windows resources
@end table
@end iftex
@menu
* ar:: Create, modify, and extract from archives
-* copy:: Copy and translate object files
-* ld:(ld)Overview. Combine object and archive files
* nm:: List symbols from object files
+* objcopy:: Copy and translate object files
* objdump:: Display information from object files
* ranlib:: Generate index to archive contents
* size:: List section sizes and total size
+* strings:: List printable strings from files
* strip:: Discard symbols
-* Index::
+* c++filt:: Filter to demangle encoded C++ symbols
+* addr2line:: Convert addresses to file and line
+* nlmconv:: Converts object code into an NLM
+* windres:: Manipulate Windows resources
+* Selecting The Target System:: How these utilities determine the target.
+* Reporting Bugs:: Reporting Bugs
+* Index:: Index
@end menu
-@node ar, copy, Top, Top
+@node ar
@chapter ar
@kindex ar
@cindex archives
@cindex collections of files
@smallexample
- ar [-]@var{p}@var{mod} [ @var{membername} ] @var{archive} @var{file}@dots{}
- ar -M [ <mri-script ]
+ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
+ar -M [ <mri-script ]
@end smallexample
-The GNU @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts from
+The @sc{gnu} @code{ar} program creates, modifies, and extracts from
archives. An @dfn{archive} is a single file holding a collection of
other files in a structure that makes it possible to retrieve
the original individual files (called @dfn{members} of the archive).
extraction.
@cindex name length
-GNU @code{ar} can maintain archives whose members have names of any
+@sc{gnu} @code{ar} can maintain archives whose members have names of any
length; however, depending on how @code{ar} is configured on your
system, a limit on member-name length may be imposed for compatibility
with archive formats maintained with other tools. If it exists, the
@cindex compatibility, @code{ar}
@cindex @code{ar} compatibility
-GNU @code{ar} is designed to be compatible with two different
+@sc{gnu} @code{ar} is designed to be compatible with two different
facilities. You can control its activity using command-line options,
like the different varieties of @code{ar} on Unix systems; or, if you
specify the single command-line option @samp{-M}, you can control it
program.
@menu
-* ar-cmdline:: Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
-* ar-scripts:: Controlling @code{ar} with a script
+* ar cmdline:: Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
+* ar scripts:: Controlling @code{ar} with a script
@end menu
@page
-@node ar-cmdline, ar-scripts, ar, ar
+@node ar cmdline
@section Controlling @code{ar} on the command line
@smallexample
- ar [-]@var{p}@var{mod} [ @var{membername} ] @var{archive} @var{file}@dots{}
+ar [-]@var{p}[@var{mod} [@var{relpos}]] @var{archive} [@var{member}@dots{}]
@end smallexample
@cindex Unix compatibility, @code{ar}
(optionally accompanied by other keyletters specifying
@emph{modifiers}), and the archive name to act on.
-Most operations can also accept further @var{file} arguments,
+Most operations can also accept further @var{member} arguments,
specifying particular files to operate on.
-GNU @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code @var{p} and modifier
+@sc{gnu} @code{ar} allows you to mix the operation code @var{p} and modifier
flags @var{mod} in any order, within the first command-line argument.
If you wish, you may begin the first command-line argument with a
@item d
@cindex deleting from archive
@emph{Delete} modules from the archive. Specify the names of modules to
-be deleted as @var{file}@dots{}; the archive is untouched if you
+be deleted as @var{member}@dots{}; the archive is untouched if you
specify no files to delete.
If you specify the @samp{v} modifier, @code{ar} lists each module
than one member.
If no modifiers are used with @code{m}, any members you name in the
-@var{file} arguments are moved to the @emph{end} of the archive;
+@var{member} arguments are moved to the @emph{end} of the archive;
you can use the @samp{a}, @samp{b}, or @samp{i} modifiers to move them to a
specified place instead.
output file. If the @samp{v} modifier is specified, show the member
name before copying its contents to standard output.
-If you specify no @var{file} arguments, all the files in the archive are
+If you specify no @var{member} arguments, all the files in the archive are
printed.
@item q
@cindex quick append to archive
-@emph{Quick append}; add the files @var{file}@dots{} to the end of
+@emph{Quick append}; add the files @var{member}@dots{} to the end of
@var{archive}, without checking for replacement.
The modifiers @samp{a}, @samp{b}, and @samp{i} do @emph{not} affect this
@item r
@cindex replacement in archive
-Insert the files @var{file}@dots{} into @var{archive} (with
+Insert the files @var{member}@dots{} into @var{archive} (with
@emph{replacement}). This operation differs from @samp{q} in that any
previously existing members are deleted if their names match those being
added.
-If one of the files named in @var{file}@dots{} doesn't exist, @code{ar}
+If one of the files named in @var{member}@dots{} does not exist, @code{ar}
displays an error message, and leaves undisturbed any existing members
of the archive matching that name.
@item t
@cindex contents of archive
Display a @emph{table} listing the contents of @var{archive}, or those
-of the files listed in @var{file}@dots{} that are present in the
+of the files listed in @var{member}@dots{} that are present in the
archive. Normally only the member name is shown; if you also want to
see the modes (permissions), timestamp, owner, group, and size, you can
request that by also specifying the @samp{v} modifier.
-If you do not specify a @var{file}, all files in the archive
+If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
are listed.
@cindex repeated names in archive
@item x
@cindex extract from archive
-@emph{Extract} members (named @var{file}) from the archive. You can
+@emph{Extract} members (named @var{member}) from the archive. You can
use the @samp{v} modifier with this operation, to request that
@code{ar} list each name as it extracts it.
-If you do not specify a @var{file}, all files in the archive
+If you do not specify a @var{member}, all files in the archive
are extracted.
@end table
@cindex relative placement in archive
Add new files @emph{after} an existing member of the
archive. If you use the modifier @samp{a}, the name of an existing archive
-member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
+member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification.
@item b
Add new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
archive. If you use the modifier @samp{b}, the name of an existing archive
-member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
+member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{i}).
@item c
@cindex creating archives
@emph{Create} the archive. The specified @var{archive} is always
-created if it didn't exist, when you request an update. But a warning is
+created if it did not exist, when you request an update. But a warning is
issued unless you specify in advance that you expect to create it, by
using this modifier.
+@item f
+Truncate names in the archive. @sc{gnu} @code{ar} will normally permit file
+names of any length. This will cause it to create archives which are
+not compatible with the native @code{ar} program on some systems. If
+this is a concern, the @samp{f} modifier may be used to truncate file
+names when putting them in the archive.
+
@item i
Insert new files @emph{before} an existing member of the
archive. If you use the modifier @samp{i}, the name of an existing archive
-member must be present as the @var{membername} argument, before the
+member must be present as the @var{relpos} argument, before the
@var{archive} specification. (same as @samp{b}).
@item l
This modifier is accepted but not used.
@c whaffor ar l modifier??? presumably compat; with
-@c what???---pesch@@cygnus.com, 25jan91
+@c what???---doc@@cygnus.com, 25jan91
@item o
@cindex dates in archive
This modifier requests the @emph{verbose} version of an operation. Many
operations display additional information, such as filenames processed,
when the modifier @samp{v} is appended.
+
+@item V
+This modifier shows the version number of @code{ar}.
@end table
-@node ar-scripts, , ar-cmdline, ar
+@node ar scripts
@section Controlling @code{ar} with a script
@smallexample
The @code{ar} command language is @emph{not} designed to be equivalent
to the command-line options; in fact, it provides somewhat less control
over archives. The only purpose of the command language is to ease the
-transition to GNU @code{ar} for developers who already have scripts
+transition to @sc{gnu} @code{ar} for developers who already have scripts
written for the MRI ``librarian'' program.
The syntax for the @code{ar} command language is straightforward:
Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
-@item ADDMOD @var{file}, @var{file}, @dots{} @var{file}
+@item ADDMOD @var{member}, @var{member}, @dots{} @var{member}
@c FIXME! w/Replacement?? If so, like "ar r @var{archive} @var{names}"
@c else like "ar q..."
-Add each named @var{file} as a module in the current archive.
+Add each named @var{member} as a module in the current archive.
Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
@item LIST
Display full contents of the current archive, in ``verbose'' style
regardless of the state of @code{VERBOSE}. The effect is like @samp{ar
-tv @var{archive}}). (This single command is a GNU @code{ld}
+tv @var{archive}}). (This single command is a @sc{gnu} @code{ld}
enhancement, rather than present for MRI compatibility.)
Requires prior use of @code{OPEN} or @code{CREATE}.
@end table
-@node copy, nm, ar, Top
-@chapter copy
-
-@smallexample
-copy [ -F @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
- [ -I @var{format} | --input-format=@var{format} ]
- [ -O @var{format} | --output-format=@var{format} ]
- [ -S | --strip-all ] [ -g | --strip-debug ]
- [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
- [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ]
- @var{infile} [@var{outfile}]
-@end smallexample
-
-The GNU @code{copy} utility copies the contents of an object file to
-another. @code{copy} uses the GNU BFD Library to read and write the
-object files. It can write the destination object file in a format
-different from that of the source object file. The exact behavior of
-@code{copy} is controlled by command-line options.
-
-@code{copy} creates temporary files to do its translations and
-deletes them afterward. @code{copy} uses BFD to do all its
-translation work; it knows about all the formats BFD knows about, and
-thus is able to recognize most formats without being told explicitly.
-@xref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD, the GNU linker}.
-
-@table @code
-@item @var{infile}
-@itemx @var{outfile}
-The source and output files respectively.
-If you do not specify @var{outfile}, @code{copy} creates a
-temporary file and destructively renames the result with
-the name of the input file.
-
-@item -I @var{format}
-@itemx --input-format=@var{format}
-Consider the source file's object format to be @var{format}, rather than
-attempting to deduce it.
-
-@item -O @var{format}
-@itemx --output-format=@var{format}
-Write the output file using the object format @var{format}.
-
-@item -F @var{format}
-@itemx --format=@var{format}
-Use @var{format} as the object format for both the input and the output
-file; i.e. simply transfer data from source to destination with no
-translation.
-
-@item -S
-@itemx --strip-all
-Do not copy relocation and symbol information from the source file.
-
-@item -g
-@itemx --strip-debug
-Do not copy debugging symbols from the source file.
-
-@item -x
-@itemx --discard-all
-Do not copy non-global symbols from the source file.
-@c FIXME any reason to prefer "non-global" to "local" here?
-
-@item -X
-@itemx --discard-locals
-Do not copy compiler-generated local symbols.
-(These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
-
-@item -V
-@itemx --version
-Show version number.
-
-@item -v
-@itemx --verbose
-Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
-archives, @samp{copy -V} lists all members of the archive.
-@end table
-
@iftex
@node ld
@chapter ld
@cindex linker
@kindex ld
-The GNU linker @code{ld} is now described in a separate manual.
-@xref{Top,, Overview,, Using LD: the GNU linker}.
+The @sc{gnu} linker @code{ld} is now described in a separate manual.
+@xref{Top,, Overview,, Using LD: the @sc{gnu} linker}.
@end iftex
-@node nm, objdump, copy, Top
+@node nm
@chapter nm
@cindex symbols
@kindex nm
@smallexample
- nm [ -a | --debug-syms ] [ -g | --extern-only ]
- [ -s | --print-armap ] [ -o | --print-file-name ]
- [ -n | --numeric-sort ] [ -p | --no-sort ]
- [ -r | --reverse-sort ] [ -u | --undefined-only ]
- [ --target=@var{bfdname} ]
- [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
+nm [ -a | --debug-syms ] [ -g | --extern-only ]
+ [ -B ] [ -C | --demangle ] [ -D | --dynamic ]
+ [ -s | --print-armap ] [ -A | -o | --print-file-name ]
+ [ -n | -v | --numeric-sort ] [ -p | --no-sort ]
+ [ -r | --reverse-sort ] [ --size-sort ] [ -u | --undefined-only ]
+ [ -t @var{radix} | --radix=@var{radix} ] [ -P | --portability ]
+ [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -f @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
+ [ --defined-only ] [-l | --line-numbers ]
+ [ --no-demangle ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ] [ @var{objfile}@dots{} ]
@end smallexample
-GNU @code{nm} lists the symbols from object files @var{objfile}@dots{}.
+@sc{gnu} @code{nm} lists the symbols from object files @var{objfile}@dots{}.
+If no object files are listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes
+@file{a.out}.
+
+For each symbol, @code{nm} shows:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+The symbol value, in the radix selected by options (see below), or
+hexadecimal by default.
+
+@item
+The symbol type. At least the following types are used; others are, as
+well, depending on the object file format. If lowercase, the symbol is
+local; if uppercase, the symbol is global (external).
+
+@c Some more detail on exactly what these symbol types are used for
+@c would be nice.
+@table @code
+@item A
+The symbol's value is absolute, and will not be changed by further
+linking.
+
+@item B
+The symbol is in the uninitialized data section (known as BSS).
+
+@item C
+The symbol is common. Common symbols are uninitialized data. When
+linking, multiple common symbols may appear with the same name. If the
+symbol is defined anywhere, the common symbols are treated as undefined
+references. For more details on common symbols, see the discussion of
+--warn-common in @ref{Options,,Linker options,ld.info,The GNU linker}.
+
+@item D
+The symbol is in the initialized data section.
+
+@item G
+The symbol is in an initialized data section for small objects. Some
+object file formats permit more efficient access to small data objects,
+such as a global int variable as opposed to a large global array.
+
+@item I
+The symbol is an indirect reference to another symbol. This is a GNU
+extension to the a.out object file format which is rarely used.
+
+@item N
+The symbol is a debugging symbol.
+
+@item R
+The symbol is in a read only data section.
+
+@item S
+The symbol is in an uninitialized data section for small objects.
+
+@item T
+The symbol is in the text (code) section.
+
+@item U
+The symbol is undefined.
+
+@item W
+The symbol is weak. When a weak defined symbol is linked with a normal
+defined symbol, the normal defined symbol is used with no error. When a
+weak undefined symbol is linked and the symbol is not defined, the value
+of the weak symbol becomes zero with no error.
+
+@item -
+The symbol is a stabs symbol in an a.out object file. In this case, the
+next values printed are the stabs other field, the stabs desc field, and
+the stab type. Stabs symbols are used to hold debugging information;
+for more information, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs Overview,stabs.info, The
+``stabs'' debug format}.
+
+@item ?
+The symbol type is unknown, or object file format specific.
+@end table
+
+@item
+The symbol name.
+@end itemize
The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
equivalent.
@table @code
-@item @var{objfile}@dots{}
-@kindex a.out
-Object files whose symbols are to be listed. If no object files are
-listed as arguments, @code{nm} assumes @samp{a.out}.
+@item -A
+@itemx -o
+@itemx --print-file-name
+@cindex input file name
+@cindex file name
+@cindex source file name
+Precede each symbol by the name of the input file (or archive element)
+in which it was found, rather than identifying the input file once only,
+before all of its symbols.
@item -a
@itemx --debug-syms
@cindex debugging symbols
-Display debugger-only symbols; normally these are not listed.
+Display all symbols, even debugger-only symbols; normally these are not
+listed.
+
+@item -B
+@cindex @code{nm} format
+@cindex @code{nm} compatibility
+The same as @samp{--format=bsd} (for compatibility with the MIPS @code{nm}).
+
+@item -C
+@itemx --demangle
+@cindex demangling in nm
+Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
+Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
+makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
+on demangling.
+
+@item --no-demangle
+Do not demangle low-level symbol names. This is the default.
+
+@item -D
+@itemx --dynamic
+@cindex dynamic symbols
+Display the dynamic symbols rather than the normal symbols. This is
+only meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
+libraries.
+
+@item -f @var{format}
+@itemx --format=@var{format}
+@cindex @code{nm} format
+@cindex @code{nm} compatibility
+Use the output format @var{format}, which can be @code{bsd},
+@code{sysv}, or @code{posix}. The default is @code{bsd}.
+Only the first character of @var{format} is significant; it can be
+either upper or lower case.
@item -g
@itemx --extern-only
@cindex external symbols
Display only external symbols.
-@item -p
-@itemx --no-sort
-@cindex sorting symbols
-Don't bother to sort the symbols in any order; just print them in the
-order encountered.
+@item -l
+@itemx --line-numbers
+@cindex symbol line numbers
+For each symbol, use debugging information to try to find a filename and
+line number. For a defined symbol, look for the line number of the
+address of the symbol. For an undefined symbol, look for the line
+number of a relocation entry which refers to the symbol. If line number
+information can be found, print it after the other symbol information.
@item -n
+@itemx -v
@itemx --numeric-sort
Sort symbols numerically by their addresses, rather than alphabetically
by their names.
+@item -p
+@itemx --no-sort
+@cindex sorting symbols
+Do not bother to sort the symbols in any order; print them in the order
+encountered.
+
+@item -P
+@itemx --portability
+Use the POSIX.2 standard output format instead of the default format.
+Equivalent to @samp{-f posix}.
+
@item -s
@itemx --print-armap
@cindex symbol index, listing
(stored in the archive by @code{ar} or @code{ranlib}) of which modules
contain definitions for which names.
-@item -o
-@itemx --print-file-name
-@cindex input file name
-@cindex file name
-@cindex source file name
-Precede each symbol by the name of the input file where it was found,
-rather than identifying the input file once only before all of its
-symbols.
-
@item -r
@itemx --reverse-sort
Reverse the order of the sort (whether numeric or alphabetic); let the
last come first.
+@item --size-sort
+Sort symbols by size. The size is computed as the difference between
+the value of the symbol and the value of the symbol with the next higher
+value. The size of the symbol is printed, rather than the value.
+
+@item -t @var{radix}
+@itemx --radix=@var{radix}
+Use @var{radix} as the radix for printing the symbol values. It must be
+@samp{d} for decimal, @samp{o} for octal, or @samp{x} for hexadecimal.
+
@item --target=@var{bfdname}
-@c @item --target
@cindex object code format
Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
-@xref{objdump}, for information on listing available formats.
-@c FIXME what *does* --target/no arg do?
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
@item -u
@itemx --undefined-only
@cindex undefined symbols
Display only undefined symbols (those external to each object file).
+@item --defined-only
+@cindex external symbols
+@cindex undefined symbols
+Display only defined symbols for each object file.
+
+@item -V
+@itemx --version
+Show the version number of @code{nm} and exit.
+
+@item --help
+Show a summary of the options to @code{nm} and exit.
@end table
-@node objdump, ranlib, nm, Top
+@node objcopy
+@chapter objcopy
+
+@smallexample
+objcopy [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -S | --strip-all ] [ -g | --strip-debug ]
+ [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
+ [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
+ [ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
+ [ -b @var{byte} | --byte=@var{byte} ]
+ [ -i @var{interleave} | --interleave=@var{interleave} ]
+ [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
+ [ -p | --preserve-dates ] [ --debugging ]
+ [ --gap-fill=@var{val} ] [ --pad-to=@var{address} ]
+ [ --set-start=@var{val} ] [ --adjust-start=@var{incr} ]
+ [ --adjust-vma=@var{incr} ]
+ [ --adjust-section-vma=@var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val} ]
+ [ --adjust-warnings ] [ --no-adjust-warnings ]
+ [ --set-section-flags=@var{section}=@var{flags} ]
+ [ --add-section=@var{sectionname}=@var{filename} ]
+ [ --change-leading-char ] [ --remove-leading-char ]
+ [ --weaken ]
+ [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
+ @var{infile} [@var{outfile}]
+@end smallexample
+
+The @sc{gnu} @code{objcopy} utility copies the contents of an object
+file to another. @code{objcopy} uses the @sc{gnu} @sc{bfd} Library to
+read and write the object files. It can write the destination object
+file in a format different from that of the source object file. The
+exact behavior of @code{objcopy} is controlled by command-line options.
+
+@code{objcopy} creates temporary files to do its translations and
+deletes them afterward. @code{objcopy} uses @sc{bfd} to do all its
+translation work; it has access to all the formats described in @sc{bfd}
+and thus is able to recognize most formats without being told
+explicitly. @xref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}.
+
+@code{objcopy} can be used to generate S-records by using an output
+target of @samp{srec} (e.g., use @samp{-O srec}).
+
+@code{objcopy} can be used to generate a raw binary file by using an
+output target of @samp{binary} (e.g., use @samp{-O binary}). When
+@code{objcopy} generates a raw binary file, it will essentially produce
+a memory dump of the contents of the input object file. All symbols and
+relocation information will be discarded. The memory dump will start at
+the load address of the lowest section copied into the output file.
+
+When generating an S-record or a raw binary file, it may be helpful to
+use @samp{-S} to remove sections containing debugging information. In
+some cases @samp{-R} will be useful to remove sections which contain
+information which is not needed by the binary file.
+
+@table @code
+@item @var{infile}
+@itemx @var{outfile}
+The source and output files, respectively.
+If you do not specify @var{outfile}, @code{objcopy} creates a
+temporary file and destructively renames the result with
+the name of @var{infile}.
+
+@item -I @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
+Consider the source file's object format to be @var{bfdname}, rather than
+attempting to deduce it. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -O @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
+Write the output file using the object format @var{bfdname}.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -F @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
+Use @var{bfdname} as the object format for both the input and the output
+file; i.e., simply transfer data from source to destination with no
+translation. @xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -R @var{sectionname}
+@itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
+Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
+option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
+inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
+
+@item -S
+@itemx --strip-all
+Do not copy relocation and symbol information from the source file.
+
+@item -g
+@itemx --strip-debug
+Do not copy debugging symbols from the source file.
+
+@item --strip-unneeded
+Strip all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
+
+@item -K @var{symbolname}
+@itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
+Copy only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
+be given more than once.
+
+@item -N @var{symbolname}
+@itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
+Do not copy symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option
+may be given more than once, and may be combined with strip options
+other than @code{-K}.
+
+@item -x
+@itemx --discard-all
+Do not copy non-global symbols from the source file.
+@c FIXME any reason to prefer "non-global" to "local" here?
+
+@item -X
+@itemx --discard-locals
+Do not copy compiler-generated local symbols.
+(These usually start with @samp{L} or @samp{.}.)
+
+@item -b @var{byte}
+@itemx --byte=@var{byte}
+Keep only every @var{byte}th byte of the input file (header data is not
+affected). @var{byte} can be in the range from 0 to @var{interleave}-1,
+where @var{interleave} is given by the @samp{-i} or @samp{--interleave}
+option, or the default of 4. This option is useful for creating files
+to program @sc{rom}. It is typically used with an @code{srec} output
+target.
+
+@item -i @var{interleave}
+@itemx --interleave=@var{interleave}
+Only copy one out of every @var{interleave} bytes. Select which byte to
+copy with the @var{-b} or @samp{--byte} option. The default is 4.
+@code{objcopy} ignores this option if you do not specify either @samp{-b} or
+@samp{--byte}.
+
+@item -p
+@itemx --preserve-dates
+Set the access and modification dates of the output file to be the same
+as those of the input file.
+
+@item --debugging
+Convert debugging information, if possible. This is not the default
+because only certain debugging formats are supported, and the
+conversion process can be time consuming.
+
+@item --gap-fill @var{val}
+Fill gaps between sections with @var{val}. This is done by increasing
+the size of the section with the lower address, and filling in the extra
+space created with @var{val}.
+
+@item --pad-to @var{address}
+Pad the output file up to the virtual address @var{address}. This is
+done by increasing the size of the last section. The extra space is
+filled in with the value specified by @samp{--gap-fill} (default zero).
+
+@item --set-start @var{val}
+Set the address of the new file to @var{val}. Not all object file
+formats support setting the start address.
+
+@item --adjust-start @var{incr}
+Adjust the start address by adding @var{incr}. Not all object file
+formats support setting the start address.
+
+@item --adjust-vma @var{incr}
+Adjust the address of all sections, as well as the start address, by
+adding @var{incr}. Some object file formats do not permit section
+addresses to be changed arbitrarily. Note that this does not relocate
+the sections; if the program expects sections to be loaded at a certain
+address, and this option is used to change the sections such that they
+are loaded at a different address, the program may fail.
+
+@item --adjust-section-vma @var{section}@{=,+,-@}@var{val}
+Set or adjust the address of the named @var{section}. If @samp{=} is
+used, the section address is set to @var{val}. Otherwise, @var{val} is
+added to or subtracted from the section address. See the comments under
+@samp{--adjust-vma}, above. If @var{section} does not exist in the
+input file, a warning will be issued, unless @samp{--no-adjust-warnings}
+is used.
+
+@item --adjust-warnings
+If @samp{--adjust-section-vma} is used, and the named section does not
+exist, issue a warning. This is the default.
+
+@item --no-adjust-warnings
+Do not issue a warning if @samp{--adjust-section-vma} is used, even if
+the named section does not exist.
+
+@item --set-section-flags @var{section}=@var{flags}
+Set the flags for the named section. The @var{flags} argument is a
+comma separated string of flag names. The recognized names are
+@samp{alloc}, @samp{load}, @samp{readonly}, @samp{code}, @samp{data},
+and @samp{rom}. Not all flags are meaningful for all object file
+formats.
+
+@item --add-section @var{sectionname}=@var{filename}
+Add a new section named @var{sectionname} while copying the file. The
+contents of the new section are taken from the file @var{filename}. The
+size of the section will be the size of the file. This option only
+works on file formats which can support sections with arbitrary names.
+
+@item --change-leading-char
+Some object file formats use special characters at the start of
+symbols. The most common such character is underscore, which compilers
+often add before every symbol. This option tells @code{objcopy} to
+change the leading character of every symbol when it converts between
+object file formats. If the object file formats use the same leading
+character, this option has no effect. Otherwise, it will add a
+character, or remove a character, or change a character, as
+appropriate.
+
+@item --remove-leading-char
+If the first character of a global symbol is a special symbol leading
+character used by the object file format, remove the character. The
+most common symbol leading character is underscore. This option will
+remove a leading underscore from all global symbols. This can be useful
+if you want to link together objects of different file formats with
+different conventions for symbol names. This is different from
+@code{--change-leading-char} because it always changes the symbol name
+when appropriate, regardless of the object file format of the output
+file.
+
+@item --weaken
+Change all global symbols in the file to be weak. This can be useful
+when building an object which will be linked against other objects using
+the @code{-R} option to the linker. This option is only effective when
+using an object file format which supports weak symbols.
+
+@item -V
+@itemx --version
+Show the version number of @code{objcopy}.
+
+@item -v
+@itemx --verbose
+Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
+archives, @samp{objcopy -V} lists all members of the archive.
+
+@item --help
+Show a summary of the options to @code{objcopy}.
+@end table
+
+@node objdump
@chapter objdump
@cindex object file information
@kindex objdump
@smallexample
- objdump [ -a ] [ -b @var{bfdname} ] [ -d ] [ -f ]
- [ -h | --header ] [ -i ] [ -j @var{section} ] [ -l ]
- [ -m @var{machine} ] [ -r | --reloc ] [ -s ]
- [ --stabs ] [ -t | --syms ] [ -x ]
- @var{objfile}@dots{}
+objdump [ -a | --archive-headers ]
+ [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ --debugging ]
+ [ -C | --demangle ] [ -d | --disassemble ]
+ [ -D | --disassemble-all ] [ --disassemble-zeroes ]
+ [ -EB | -EL | --endian=@{big | little @} ]
+ [ -f | --file-headers ]
+ [ -h | --section-headers | --headers ] [ -i | --info ]
+ [ -j @var{section} | --section=@var{section} ]
+ [ -l | --line-numbers ] [ -S | --source ]
+ [ -m @var{machine} | --architecture=@var{machine} ]
+ [ -r | --reloc ] [ -R | --dynamic-reloc ]
+ [ -s | --full-contents ] [ --stabs ]
+ [ -t | --syms ] [ -T | --dynamic-syms ] [ -x | --all-headers ]
+ [ -w | --wide ] [ --start-address=@var{address} ]
+ [ --stop-address=@var{address} ]
+ [ --prefix-addresses] [ --[no-]show-raw-insn ]
+ [ --adjust-vma=@var{offset} ]
+ [ --version ] [ --help ]
+ @var{objfile}@dots{}
@end smallexample
@code{objdump} displays information about one or more object files.
compilation tools, as opposed to programmers who just want their
program to compile and work.
+@var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined. When you
+specify archives, @code{objdump} shows information on each of the member
+object files.
+
The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
-equivalent.
+equivalent. At least one option besides @samp{-l} must be given.
@table @code
-@item @var{objfile}@dots{}
-The object files to be examined. When you specify archives,
-@code{objdump} shows information on each of the member object files.
-
@item -a
-@c print_arelt_descr
+@itemx --archive-header
@cindex archive headers
If any of the @var{objfile} files are archives, display the archive
header information (in a format similar to @samp{ls -l}). Besides the
information you could list with @samp{ar tv}, @samp{objdump -a} shows
the object file format of each archive member.
-@c suggest longname --target or --format or --bfd
+@item --adjust-vma=@var{offset}
+@cindex section addresses in objdump
+@cindex VMA in objdump
+When dumping information, first add @var{offset} to all the section
+addresses. This is useful if the section addresses do not correspond to
+the symbol table, which can happen when putting sections at particular
+addresses when using a format which can not represent section addresses,
+such as a.out.
+
@item -b @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
@cindex object code format
Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
@var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @var{objdump} can
@file{fu.o}, which is explicitly identified (@samp{-m}) as a VAX object
file in the format produced by Oasys compilers. You can list the
formats available with the @samp{-i} option.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -C
+@itemx --demangle
+@cindex demangling in objdump
+Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
+Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
+makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
+on demangling.
+
+@item --debugging
+Display debugging information. This attempts to parse debugging
+information stored in the file and print it out using a C like syntax.
+Only certain types of debugging information have been implemented.
@item -d
+@itemx --disassemble
@cindex disassembling object code
@cindex machine instructions
-Disassemble. Display the assembler mnemonics for the machine
-instructions from @var{objfile}.
+Display the assembler mnemonics for the machine instructions from
+@var{objfile}. This option only disassembles those sections which are
+expected to contain instructions.
+
+@item -D
+@itemx --disassemble-all
+Like @samp{-d}, but disassemble the contents of all sections, not just
+those expected to contain instructions.
+
+@item --prefix-addresses
+When disassembling, print the complete address on each line. This is
+the older disassembly format.
+
+@item --disassemble-zeroes
+Normally the disassembly output will skip blocks of zeroes. This
+option directs the disassembler to disassemble those blocks, just like
+any other data.
+
+@item -EB
+@itemx -EL
+@itemx --endian=@{big|little@}
+@cindex endianness
+@cindex disassembly endianness
+Specify the endianness of the object files. This only affects
+disassembly. This can be useful when disassembling a file format which
+does not describe endianness information, such as S-records.
@item -f
+@itemx --file-header
@cindex object file header
-File header. Display summary information from the overall header of
+Display summary information from the overall header of
each of the @var{objfile} files.
@item -h
+@itemx --section-header
@itemx --header
@cindex section headers
-Header. Display summary information from the section headers of the
+Display summary information from the section headers of the
object file.
+File segments may be relocated to nonstandard addresses, for example by
+using the @samp{-Ttext}, @samp{-Tdata}, or @samp{-Tbss} options to
+@code{ld}. However, some object file formats, such as a.out, do not
+store the starting address of the file segments. In those situations,
+although @code{ld} relocates the sections correctly, using @samp{objdump
+-h} to list the file section headers cannot show the correct addresses.
+Instead, it shows the usual addresses, which are implicit for the
+target.
+
+@item --help
+Print a summary of the options to @code{objdump} and exit.
+
@item -i
+@itemx --info
@cindex architectures available
@cindex object formats available
Display a list showing all architectures and object formats available
for specification with @samp{-b} or @samp{-m}.
-@c suggest longname --section
@item -j @var{name}
+@itemx --section=@var{name}
@cindex section information
Display information only for section @var{name}.
-@c suggest longname --label or --linespec
@item -l
+@itemx --line-numbers
@cindex source filenames for object files
-Label the display (using debugging information) with the source filename
-and line numbers corresponding to the object code shown.
+Label the display (using debugging information) with the filename and
+source line numbers corresponding to the object code or relocs shown.
+Only useful with @samp{-d}, @samp{-D}, or @samp{-r}.
-@c suggest longname --architecture
@item -m @var{machine}
+@itemx --architecture=@var{machine}
@cindex architecture
-Specify that the object files @var{objfile} are for architecture
-@var{machine}. You can list available architectures using the @samp{-i}
-option.
+@cindex disassembly architecture
+Specify the architecture to use when disassembling object files. This
+can be useful when disasembling object files which do not describe
+architecture information, such as S-records. You can list the available
+architectures with the @samp{-i} option.
@item -r
@itemx --reloc
@cindex relocation entries, in object file
-Relocation. Print the relocation entries of the file.
+Print the relocation entries of the file. If used with @samp{-d} or
+@samp{-D}, the relocations are printed interspersed with the
+disassembly.
+
+@item -R
+@itemx --dynamic-reloc
+@cindex dynamic relocation entries, in object file
+Print the dynamic relocation entries of the file. This is only
+meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
+libraries.
@item -s
+@itemx --full-contents
@cindex sections, full contents
@cindex object file sections
Display the full contents of any sections requested.
+@item -S
+@itemx --source
+@cindex source disassembly
+@cindex disassembly, with source
+Display source code intermixed with disassembly, if possible. Implies
+@samp{-d}.
+
+@item --show-raw-insn
+When disassembling instructions, print the instruction in hex as well as
+in symbolic form. This is the default except when
+@code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
+
+@item --no-show-raw-insn
+When disassembling instructions, do not print the instruction bytes.
+This is the default when @code{--prefix-addresses} is used.
+
@item --stabs
@cindex stab
@cindex .stab
@code{.stab} debugging symbol-table entries are carried in an ELF
section. In most other file formats, debugging symbol-table entries are
interleaved with linkage symbols, and are visible in the @samp{--syms}
-output.
+output. For more information on stabs symbols, see @ref{Top,Stabs,Stabs
+Overview,stabs.info, The ``stabs'' debug format}.
+
+@item --start-address=@var{address}
+@cindex start-address
+Start displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
+of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
+
+@item --stop-address=@var{address}
+@cindex stop-address
+Stop displaying data at the specified address. This affects the output
+of the @code{-d}, @code{-r} and @code{-s} options.
@item -t
@itemx --syms
@cindex symbol table entries, printing
-Symbol Table. Print the symbol table entries of the file.
+Print the symbol table entries of the file.
This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm} program.
+@item -T
+@itemx --dynamic-syms
+@cindex dynamic symbol table entries, printing
+Print the dynamic symbol table entries of the file. This is only
+meaningful for dynamic objects, such as certain types of shared
+libraries. This is similar to the information provided by the @samp{nm}
+program when given the @samp{-D} (@samp{--dynamic}) option.
+
+@item --version
+Print the version number of @code{objdump} and exit.
+
@item -x
+@itemx --all-header
@cindex all header information, object file
@cindex header information, all
Display all available header information, including the symbol table and
relocation entries. Using @samp{-x} is equivalent to specifying all of
@samp{-a -f -h -r -t}.
+@item -w
+@item --wide
+@cindex wide output, printing
+Format some lines for output devices that have more than 80 columns.
@end table
-@node ranlib, size, objdump, Top
+@node ranlib
@chapter ranlib
@kindex ranlib
@cindex symbol index
@smallexample
- ranlib @var{archive}
+ranlib [-vV] @var{archive}
@end smallexample
@code{ranlib} generates an index to the contents of an archive and
allows routines in the library to call each other without regard to
their placement in the archive.
-The GNU @code{ranlib} program is another form of GNU @code{ar}; running
+The @sc{gnu} @code{ranlib} program is another form of @sc{gnu} @code{ar}; running
@code{ranlib} is completely equivalent to executing @samp{ar -s}.
@xref{ar}.
-@node size, strip, ranlib, Top
+@table @code
+@item -v
+@itemx -V
+Show the version number of @code{ranlib}.
+@end table
+
+@node size
@chapter size
@kindex size
@cindex section sizes
@smallexample
- size [ -A | -B | --format=@var{compatibility} ]
- [ --help ] [ -d | -o | -x | --radix=@var{number} ]
- [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -V | --version ]
- @var{objfile}@dots{}
+size [ -A | -B | --format=@var{compatibility} ]
+ [ --help ] [ -d | -o | -x | --radix=@var{number} ]
+ [ --target=@var{bfdname} ] [ -V | --version ]
+ @var{objfile}@dots{}
@end smallexample
-The GNU @code{size} utility lists the section sizes---and the total
+The @sc{gnu} @code{size} utility lists the section sizes---and the total
size---for each of the object or archive files @var{objfile} in its
argument list. By default, one line of output is generated for each
object file or each module in an archive.
+@var{objfile}@dots{} are the object files to be examined.
+
The command line options have the following meanings:
-@table @code
-@item @var{objfile}@dots{}
-The object files to be examined.
+@table @code
@item -A
@itemx -B
@itemx --format=@var{compatibility}
-@cindex size display format
-Using one of these options, you can choose whether the output from GNU
+@cindex @code{size} display format
+Using one of these options, you can choose whether the output from @sc{gnu}
@code{size} resembles output from System V @code{size} (using @samp{-A},
or @samp{--format=sysv}), or Berkeley @code{size} (using @samp{-B}, or
@samp{--format=berkeley}). The default is the one-line format similar to
Here is an example of the Berkeley (default) format of output from
@code{size}:
@smallexample
- eg$ size --format Berkeley ranlib size
+size --format=Berkeley ranlib size
text data bss dec hex filename
294880 81920 11592 388392 5ed28 ranlib
294880 81920 11888 388688 5ee50 size
This is the same data, but displayed closer to System V conventions:
@smallexample
- eg$ size --format SysV ranlib size
+size --format=SysV ranlib size
ranlib :
section size addr
.text 294880 8192
@itemx -o
@itemx -x
@itemx --radix=@var{number}
-@cindex size number format
+@cindex @code{size} number format
@cindex radix for section sizes
Using one of these options, you can control whether the size of each
section is given in decimal (@samp{-d}, or @samp{--radix=10}); octal
@cindex object code format
Specify that the object-code format for @var{objfile} is
@var{bfdname}. This option may not be necessary; @code{size} can
-automatically recognize many formats. @xref{objdump}, for information
-on listing available formats.
+automatically recognize many formats.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
@item -V
@itemx --version
-Display version number information for @code{size} itself.
+Display the version number of @code{size}.
+@end table
+
+@node strings
+@chapter strings
+@kindex strings
+@cindex listings strings
+@cindex printing strings
+@cindex strings, printing
+
+@smallexample
+strings [-afov] [-@var{min-len}] [-n @var{min-len}] [-t @var{radix}] [-]
+ [--all] [--print-file-name] [--bytes=@var{min-len}]
+ [--radix=@var{radix}] [--target=@var{bfdname}]
+ [--help] [--version] @var{file}@dots{}
+@end smallexample
+
+For each @var{file} given, @sc{gnu} @code{strings} prints the printable
+character sequences that are at least 4 characters long (or the number
+given with the options below) and are followed by an unprintable
+character. By default, it only prints the strings from the initialized
+and loaded sections of object files; for other types of files, it prints
+the strings from the whole file.
+
+@code{strings} is mainly useful for determining the contents of non-text
+files.
+
+@table @code
+@item -a
+@itemx --all
+@itemx -
+Do not scan only the initialized and loaded sections of object files;
+scan the whole files.
+
+@item -f
+@itemx --print-file-name
+Print the name of the file before each string.
+
+@item --help
+Print a summary of the program usage on the standard output and exit.
+
+@itemx -@var{min-len}
+@item -n @var{min-len}
+@itemx --bytes=@var{min-len}
+Print sequences of characters that are at least @var{min-len} characters
+long, instead of the default 4.
+
+@item -o
+Like @samp{-t o}. Some other versions of @code{strings} have @samp{-o}
+act like @samp{-t d} instead. Since we can not be compatible with both
+ways, we simply chose one.
+
+@item -t @var{radix}
+@itemx --radix=@var{radix}
+Print the offset within the file before each string. The single
+character argument specifies the radix of the offset---@samp{o} for
+octal, @samp{x} for hexadecimal, or @samp{d} for decimal.
+@item --target=@var{bfdname}
+@cindex object code format
+Specify an object code format other than your system's default format.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -v
+@itemx --version
+Print the program version number on the standard output and exit.
@end table
-@node strip, Index, size, Top
+@node strip
@chapter strip
@kindex strip
@cindex symbols, discarding
@smallexample
-strip [ -F @var{format} | --format=@var{format} | --target=@var{format} ]
- [ -I @var{format} | --input-format=@var{format} ]
- [ -O @var{format} | --output-format=@var{format} ]
+strip [ -F @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
[ -s | --strip-all ] [ -S | -g | --strip-debug ]
+ [ -K @var{symbolname} | --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
+ [ -N @var{symbolname} | --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname} ]
[ -x | --discard-all ] [ -X | --discard-locals ]
- [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ]
+ [ -R @var{sectionname} | --remove-section=@var{sectionname} ]
+ [ -o @var{file} ] [ -p | --preserve-dates ]
+ [ -v | --verbose ] [ -V | --version ] [ --help ]
@var{objfile}@dots{}
@end smallexample
-GNU @code{strip} discards all symbols from object files
+@sc{gnu} @code{strip} discards all symbols from object files
@var{objfile}. The list of object files may include archives.
-
-@code{strip} will not execute unless at least one object file is listed.
+At least one object file must be given.
@code{strip} modifies the files named in its argument,
rather than writing modified copies under different names.
@table @code
-@item -I @var{format}
-@itemx --input-format=@var{format}
+@item -F @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
-code format @var{format}.
+code format @var{bfdname}, and rewrite it in the same format.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
-@item -O @var{format}
-@itemx --output-format=@var{format}
-Replace @var{objfile} with a file in the output format @var{format}.
+@item --help
+Show a summary of the options to @code{strip} and exit.
-@item -F @var{format}
-@itemx --format=@var{format}
-@itemx --target=@var{format}
+@item -I @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
Treat the original @var{objfile} as a file with the object
-code format @var{format}, and rewrite it in the same format.
+code format @var{bfdname}.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -O @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
+Replace @var{objfile} with a file in the output format @var{bfdname}.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -R @var{sectionname}
+@itemx --remove-section=@var{sectionname}
+Remove any section named @var{sectionname} from the output file. This
+option may be given more than once. Note that using this option
+inappropriately may make the output file unusable.
@item -s
@itemx --strip-all
@itemx --strip-debug
Remove debugging symbols only.
+@item --strip-unneeded
+Remove all symbols that are not needed for relocation processing.
+
+@item -K @var{symbolname}
+@itemx --keep-symbol=@var{symbolname}
+Keep only symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may
+be given more than once.
+
+@item -N @var{symbolname}
+@itemx --strip-symbol=@var{symbolname}
+Remove symbol @var{symbolname} from the source file. This option may be
+given more than once, and may be combined with strip options other than
+@code{-K}.
+
+@item -o @var{file}
+Put the stripped output in @var{file}, rather than replacing the
+existing file. When this argument is used, only one @var{objfile}
+argument may be specified.
+
+@item -p
+@itemx --preserve-dates
+Preserve the access and modification dates of the file.
+
@item -x
@itemx --discard-all
Remove non-global symbols.
@item -v
@itemx --verbose
Verbose output: list all object files modified. In the case of
-archives, @samp{strip -V} lists all members of the archive.
+archives, @samp{strip -v} lists all members of the archive.
+@end table
+
+@node c++filt
+@chapter c++filt
+
+@kindex c++filt
+@cindex demangling C++ symbols
+
+@smallexample
+c++filt [ -_ | --strip-underscores ]
+ [ -n | --no-strip-underscores ]
+ [ -s @var{format} | --format=@var{format} ]
+ [ --help ] [ --version ] [ @var{symbol}@dots{} ]
+@end smallexample
+
+The C++ language provides function overloading, which means that you can
+write many functions with the same name (providing each takes parameters
+of different types). All C++ function names are encoded into a
+low-level assembly label (this process is known as
+@dfn{mangling}). The @code{c++filt} program does the inverse mapping: it
+decodes (@dfn{demangles}) low-level names into user-level names so that
+the linker can keep these overloaded functions from clashing.
+
+Every alphanumeric word (consisting of letters, digits, underscores,
+dollars, or periods) seen in the input is a potential label. If the
+label decodes into a C++ name, the C++ name replaces the low-level
+name in the output.
+
+You can use @code{c++filt} to decipher individual symbols:
+
+@example
+c++filt @var{symbol}
+@end example
+
+If no @var{symbol} arguments are given, @code{c++filt} reads symbol
+names from the standard input and writes the demangled names to the
+standard output. All results are printed on the standard output.
+
+@table @code
+@item -_
+@itemx --strip-underscores
+On some systems, both the C and C++ compilers put an underscore in front
+of every name. For example, the C name @code{foo} gets the low-level
+name @code{_foo}. This option removes the initial underscore. Whether
+@code{c++filt} removes the underscore by default is target dependent.
+
+@item -n
+@itemx --no-strip-underscores
+Do not remove the initial underscore.
+
+@item -s @var{format}
+@itemx --format=@var{format}
+@sc{gnu} @code{nm} can decode three different methods of mangling, used by
+different C++ compilers. The argument to this option selects which
+method it uses:
+
+@table @code
+@item gnu
+the one used by the @sc{gnu} compiler (the default method)
+@item lucid
+the one used by the Lucid compiler
+@item arm
+the one specified by the C++ Annotated Reference Manual
+@end table
+
+@item --help
+Print a summary of the options to @code{c++filt} and exit.
+
+@item --version
+Print the version number of @code{c++filt} and exit.
+@end table
+
+@quotation
+@emph{Warning:} @code{c++filt} is a new utility, and the details of its
+user interface are subject to change in future releases. In particular,
+a command-line option may be required in the the future to decode a name
+passed as an argument on the command line; in other words,
+
+@example
+c++filt @var{symbol}
+@end example
+
+@noindent
+may in a future release become
+
+@example
+c++filt @var{option} @var{symbol}
+@end example
+@end quotation
+
+@node addr2line
+@chapter addr2line
+
+@kindex addr2line
+@cindex address to file name and line number
+
+@smallexample
+addr2line [ -b @var{bfdname} | --target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -C | --demangle ]
+ [ -e @var{filename} | --exe=@var{filename} ]
+ [ -f | --functions ] [ -s | --basename ]
+ [ -H | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
+ [ addr addr ... ]
+@end smallexample
+
+@code{addr2line} translates program addresses into file names and line
+numbers. Given an address and an executable, it uses the debugging
+information in the executable to figure out which file name and line
+number are associated with a given address.
+
+The executable to use is specified with the @code{-e} option. The
+default is @file{a.out}.
+
+@code{addr2line} has two modes of operation.
+
+In the first, hexadecimal addresses are specified on the command line,
+and @code{addr2line} displays the file name and line number for each
+address.
+
+In the second, @code{addr2line} reads hexadecimal addresses from
+standard input, and prints the file name and line number for each
+address on standard output. In this mode, @code{addr2line} may be used
+in a pipe to convert dynamically chosen addresses.
+
+The format of the output is @samp{FILENAME:LINENO}. The file name and
+line number for each address is printed on a separate line. If the
+@code{-f} option is used, then each @samp{FILENAME:LINENO} line is
+preceded by a @samp{FUNCTIONNAME} line which is the name of the function
+containing the address.
+
+If the file name or function name can not be determined,
+@code{addr2line} will print two question marks in their place. If the
+line number can not be determined, @code{addr2line} will print 0.
+
+The long and short forms of options, shown here as alternatives, are
+equivalent.
+
+@table @code
+@item -b @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --target=@var{bfdname}
+@cindex object code format
+Specify that the object-code format for the object files is
+@var{bfdname}.
+
+@item -C
+@itemx --demangle
+@cindex demangling in objdump
+Decode (@dfn{demangle}) low-level symbol names into user-level names.
+Besides removing any initial underscore prepended by the system, this
+makes C++ function names readable. @xref{c++filt}, for more information
+on demangling.
+
+@item -e @var{filename}
+@itemx --exe=@var{filename}
+Specify the name of the executable for which addresses should be
+translated. The default file is @file{a.out}.
+
+@item -f
+@itemx --functions
+Display function names as well as file and line number information.
+
+@item -s
+@itemx --basenames
+Display only the base of each file name.
+@end table
+
+@node nlmconv
+@chapter nlmconv
+
+@code{nlmconv} converts a relocatable object file into a NetWare
+Loadable Module.
+
+@ignore
+@code{nlmconv} currently works with @samp{i386} object
+files in @code{coff}, @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format, and @sc{SPARC}
+object files in @sc{elf}, or @code{a.out} format@footnote{
+@code{nlmconv} should work with any @samp{i386} or @sc{sparc} object
+format in the Binary File Descriptor library. It has only been tested
+with the above formats.}.
+@end ignore
+
+@quotation
+@emph{Warning:} @code{nlmconv} is not always built as part of the binary
+utilities, since it is only useful for NLM targets.
+@end quotation
+
+@smallexample
+nlmconv [ -I @var{bfdname} | --input-target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -O @var{bfdname} | --output-target=@var{bfdname} ]
+ [ -T @var{headerfile} | --header-file=@var{headerfile} ]
+ [ -d | --debug] [ -l @var{linker} | --linker=@var{linker} ]
+ [ -h | --help ] [ -V | --version ]
+ @var{infile} @var{outfile}
+@end smallexample
+
+@code{nlmconv} converts the relocatable @samp{i386} object file
+@var{infile} into the NetWare Loadable Module @var{outfile}, optionally
+reading @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions
+on writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see the
+@samp{linkers} section, @samp{NLMLINK} in particular, of the @cite{NLM
+Development and Tools Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software
+Developer's Kit (``NLM SDK''), available from Novell, Inc.
+@code{nlmconv} uses the @sc{gnu} Binary File Descriptor library to read
+@var{infile}; see @ref{BFD,,BFD,ld.info,Using LD}, for
+more information.
+
+@code{nlmconv} can perform a link step. In other words, you can list
+more than one object file for input if you list them in the definitions
+file (rather than simply specifying one input file on the command line).
+In this case, @code{nlmconv} calls the linker for you.
+
+@table @code
+@item -I @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --input-target=@var{bfdname}
+Object format of the input file. @code{nlmconv} can usually determine
+the format of a given file (so no default is necessary).
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -O @var{bfdname}
+@itemx --output-target=@var{bfdname}
+Object format of the output file. @code{nlmconv} infers the output
+format based on the input format, e.g. for a @samp{i386} input file the
+output format is @samp{nlm32-i386}.
+@xref{Target Selection}, for more information.
+
+@item -T @var{headerfile}
+@itemx --header-file=@var{headerfile}
+Reads @var{headerfile} for NLM header information. For instructions on
+writing the NLM command file language used in header files, see@ see the
+@samp{linkers} section, of the @cite{NLM Development and Tools
+Overview}, which is part of the NLM Software Developer's Kit, available
+from Novell, Inc.
+
+@item -d
+@itemx --debug
+Displays (on standard error) the linker command line used by @code{nlmconv}.
+
+@item -l @var{linker}
+@itemx --linker=@var{linker}
+Use @var{linker} for any linking. @var{linker} can be an abosolute or a
+relative pathname.
+
+@item -h
+@itemx --help
+Prints a usage summary.
+
+@item -V
+@itemx --version
+Prints the version number for @code{nlmconv}.
@end table
-@node Index, , strip, Top
+@node windres
+@chapter windres
+
+@code{windres} may be used to manipulate Windows resources.
+
+@quotation
+@emph{Warning:} @code{windres} is not always built as part of the binary
+utilities, since it is only useful for Windows targets.
+@end quotation
+
+@smallexample
+windres [options] [input-file] [output-file]
+@end smallexample
+
+@code{windres} reads resources from an input file and copies them into
+an output file. Either file may be in one of three formats:
+
+@table @code
+@item rc
+A text format read by the Resource Compiler.
+
+@item res
+A binary format generated by the Resource Compiler.
+
+@item coff
+A COFF object or executable.
+@end table
+
+The exact description of these different formats is available in
+documentation from Microsoft.
+
+When @code{windres} converts from the @code{rc} format to the @code{res}
+format, it is acting like the Windows Resource Compiler. When
+@code{windres} converts from the @code{res} format to the @code{coff}
+format, it is acting like the Windows @code{CVTRES} program.
+
+When @code{windres} generates an @code{rc} file, the output is similar
+but not identical to the format expected for the input. When an input
+@code{rc} file refers to an external filename, an output @code{rc} file
+will instead include the file contents.
+
+If the input or output format is not specified, @code{windres} will
+guess based on the file name, or, for the input file, the file contents.
+A file with an extension of @file{.rc} will be treated as an @code{rc}
+file, a file with an extension of @file{.res} will be treated as a
+@code{res} file, and a file with an extension of @file{.o} or
+@file{.exe} will be treated as a @code{coff} file.
+
+If no output file is specified, @code{windres} will print the resources
+in @code{rc} format to standard output.
+
+The normal use is for you to write an @code{rc} file, use @code{windres}
+to convert it to a COFF object file, and then link the COFF file into
+your application. This will make the resources described in the
+@code{rc} file available to Windows.
+
+@table @code
+@item -i @var{filename}
+@itemx --input @var{filename}
+The name of the input file. If this option is not used, then
+@code{windres} will use the first non-option argument as the input file
+name. If there are no non-option arguments, then @code{windres} will
+read from standard input. @code{windres} can not read a COFF file from
+standard input.
+
+@item -o @var{filename}
+@itemx --output @var{filename}
+The name of the output file. If this option is not used, then
+@code{windres} will use the first non-option argument, after any used
+for the input file name, as the output file name. If there is no
+non-option argument, then @code{windres} will write to standard output.
+@code{windres} can not write a COFF file to standard output.
+
+@item -I @var{format}
+@itemx --input-format @var{format}
+The input format to read. @var{format} may be @samp{res}, @samp{rc}, or
+@samp{coff}. If no input format is specified, @code{windres} will
+guess, as described above.
+
+@item -O @var{format}
+@itemx --output-format @var{format}
+The output format to generate. @var{format} may be @samp{res},
+@samp{rc}, or @samp{coff}. If no output format is specified,
+@code{windres} will guess, as described above.
+
+@item -F @var{target}
+@itemx --target @var{target}
+Specify the BFD format to use for a COFF file as input or output. This
+is a BFD target name; you can use the @code{--help} option to see a list
+of supported targets. Normally @code{windres} will use the default
+format, which is the first one listed by the @code{--help} option.
+@ref{Target Selection}.
+
+@item --preprocessor @var{program}
+When @code{windres} reads an @code{rc} file, it runs it through the C
+preprocessor first. This option may be used to specify the preprocessor
+to use, including any leading arguments. The default preprocessor
+argument is @code{gcc -E -xc-header -DRC_INVOKED}.
+
+@item --include-dir @var{directory}
+Specify an include directory to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
+@code{windres} will pass this to the preprocessor as an @code{-I}
+option. @code{windres} will also search this directory when looking for
+files named in the @code{rc} file.
+
+@item --define @var{sym[=val]}
+Specify a @code{-D} option to pass to the preprocessor when reading an
+@code{rc} file.
+
+@item --language @var{val}
+Specify the default language to use when reading an @code{rc} file.
+@var{val} should be a hexadecimal language code. The low eight bits are
+the language, and the high eight bits are the sublanguage.
+
+@item --help
+Prints a usage summary.
+
+@item --version
+Prints the version number for @code{windres}.
+
+@item --yydebug
+If @code{windres} is compiled with @code{YYDEBUG} defined as @code{1},
+this will turn on parser debugging.
+@end table
+
+@node Selecting The Target System
+@chapter Selecting the target system
+
+You can specify three aspects of the target system to the @sc{gnu}
+binary file utilities, each in several ways:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+the target
+
+@item
+the architecture
+
+@item
+the linker emulation (which applies to the linker only)
+@end itemize
+
+In the following summaries, the lists of ways to specify values are in
+order of decreasing precedence. The ways listed first override those
+listed later.
+
+The commands to list valid values only list the values for which the
+programs you are running were configured. If they were configured with
+@samp{--enable-targets=all}, the commands list most of the available
+values, but a few are left out; not all targets can be configured in at
+once because some of them can only be configured @dfn{native} (on hosts
+with the same type as the target system).
+
+@menu
+* Target Selection::
+* Architecture Selection::
+* Linker Emulation Selection::
+@end menu
+
+@node Target Selection
+@section Target Selection
+
+A @dfn{target} is an object file format. A given target may be
+supported for multiple architectures (@pxref{Architecture Selection}).
+A target selection may also have variations for different operating
+systems or architectures.
+
+The command to list valid target values is @samp{objdump -i}
+(the first column of output contains the relevant information).
+
+Some sample values are: @samp{a.out-hp300bsd}, @samp{ecoff-littlemips},
+@samp{a.out-sunos-big}.
+
+You can also specify a target using a configuration triplet. This is
+the same sort of name that is passed to configure to specify a target.
+When you use a configuration triplet as an argument, it must be fully
+canonicalized. You can see the canonical version of a triplet by
+running the shell script @file{config.sub} which is included with the
+sources.
+
+Some sample configuration triplets are: @samp{m68k-hp-bsd},
+@samp{mips-dec-ultrix}, @samp{sparc-sun-sunos}.
+
+@subheading @code{objdump} Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--target}
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
+
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line options: @samp{-I} or @samp{--input-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
+
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading @code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Output Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line options: @samp{-O} or @samp{--output-target}, or @samp{-F} or @samp{--target}
+
+@item
+the input target (see ``@code{objcopy} and @code{strip} Input Target'' above)
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
+
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading @code{nm}, @code{size}, and @code{strings} Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{--target}
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
+
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading Linker Input Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{-b} or @samp{--format}
+(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+script command @code{TARGET}
+(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{GNUTARGET}
+(@pxref{Environment,,Environment,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+the default target of the selected linker emulation
+(@pxref{Linker Emulation Selection})
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading Linker Output Target
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{-oformat}
+(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+script command @code{OUTPUT_FORMAT}
+(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+the linker input target (see ``Linker Input Target'' above)
+@end enumerate
+
+@node Architecture Selection
+@section Architecture selection
+
+An @dfn{architecture} is a type of @sc{cpu} on which an object file is
+to run. Its name may contain a colon, separating the name of the
+processor family from the name of the particular @sc{cpu}.
+
+The command to list valid architecture values is @samp{objdump -i} (the
+second column contains the relevant information).
+
+Sample values: @samp{m68k:68020}, @samp{mips:3000}, @samp{sparc}.
+
+@subheading @code{objdump} Architecture
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{-m} or @samp{--architecture}
+
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading @code{objcopy}, @code{nm}, @code{size}, @code{strings} Architecture
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading Linker Input Architecture
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+deduced from the input file
+@end enumerate
+
+@subheading Linker Output Architecture
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+script command @code{OUTPUT_ARCH}
+(@pxref{Option Commands,,Option Commands,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+the default architecture from the linker output target
+(@pxref{Target Selection})
+@end enumerate
+
+@node Linker Emulation Selection
+@section Linker emulation selection
+
+A linker @dfn{emulation} is a ``personality'' of the linker, which gives
+the linker default values for the other aspects of the target system.
+In particular, it consists of
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+the linker script
+
+@item
+the target
+
+@item
+several ``hook'' functions that are run at certain stages of the linking
+process to do special things that some targets require
+@end itemize
+
+The command to list valid linker emulation values is @samp{ld -V}.
+
+Sample values: @samp{hp300bsd}, @samp{mipslit}, @samp{sun4}.
+
+Ways to specify:
+
+@enumerate
+@item
+command line option: @samp{-m}
+(@pxref{Options,,Options,ld.info,Using LD})
+
+@item
+environment variable @code{LDEMULATION}
+
+@item
+compiled-in @code{DEFAULT_EMULATION} from @file{Makefile},
+which comes from @code{EMUL} in @file{config/@var{target}.mt}
+@end enumerate
+
+@node Reporting Bugs
+@chapter Reporting Bugs
+@cindex bugs
+@cindex reporting bugs
+
+Your bug reports play an essential role in making the binary utilities
+reliable.
+
+Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or
+it may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is
+to help the entire community by making the next version of the binary
+utilities work better. Bug reports are your contribution to their
+maintenance.
+
+In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
+information that enables us to fix the bug.
+
+@menu
+* Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
+* Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
+@end menu
+
+@node Bug Criteria
+@section Have you found a bug?
+@cindex bug criteria
+
+If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@cindex fatal signal
+@cindex crash
+@item
+If a binary utility gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is
+a bug. Reliable utilities never crash.
+
+@cindex error on valid input
+@item
+If a binary utility produces an error message for valid input, that is a
+bug.
+
+@item
+If you are an experienced user of binary utilities, your suggestions for
+improvement are welcome in any case.
+@end itemize
+
+@node Bug Reporting
+@section How to report bugs
+@cindex bug reports
+@cindex bugs, reporting
+
+A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu}
+products. If you obtained the binary utilities from a support
+organization, we recommend you contact that organization first.
+
+You can find contact information for many support companies and
+individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
+distribution.
+
+In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for the binary
+utilities to @samp{bug-gnu-utils@@prep.ai.mit.edu}.
+
+The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
+@strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
+fact or leave it out, state it!
+
+Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
+problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
+assume that the name of a file you use in an example does not matter.
+Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is
+a stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where
+that pathname is stored in memory; perhaps, if the pathname were
+different, the contents of that location would fool the utility into
+doing the right thing despite the bug. Play it safe and give a
+specific, complete example. That is the easiest thing for you to do,
+and the most helpful.
+
+Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the bug if
+it is new to us. Therefore, always write your bug reports on the assumption
+that the bug has not been reported previously.
+
+Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
+bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
+@emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
+bugs properly.
+
+To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+The version of the utility. Each utility announces it if you start it
+with the @samp{--version} argument.
+
+Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
+the bug in the current version of the binary utilities.
+
+@item
+Any patches you may have applied to the source, including any patches
+made to the @code{BFD} library.
+
+@item
+The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
+version number.
+
+@item
+What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the utilities---e.g.
+``@code{gcc-2.7}''.
+
+@item
+The command arguments you gave the utility to observe the bug. To
+guarantee you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy
+of the Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
+
+If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
+and then we might not encounter the bug.
+
+@item
+A complete input file, or set of input files, that will reproduce the
+bug. If the utility is reading an object file or files, then it is
+generally most helpful to send the actual object files, uuencoded if
+necessary to get them through the mail system. Making them available
+for anonymous FTP is not as good, but may be the only reasonable choice
+for large object files.
+
+If the source files were produced exclusively using @sc{gnu} programs
+(e.g., @code{gcc}, @code{gas}, and/or the @sc{gnu} @code{ld}), then it
+may be OK to send the source files rather than the object files. In
+this case, be sure to say exactly what version of @code{gcc}, or
+whatever, was used to produce the object files. Also say how
+@code{gcc}, or whatever, was configured.
+
+@item
+A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
+incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
+
+Of course, if the bug is that the utility gets a fatal signal, then we
+will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
+not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
+a chance to make a mistake.
+
+Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
+say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
+copy of the utility is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
+the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
+crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
+ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
+us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
+to draw any conclusion from our observations.
+
+@item
+If you wish to suggest changes to the source, send us context diffs, as
+generated by @code{diff} with the @samp{-u}, @samp{-c}, or @samp{-p}
+option. Always send diffs from the old file to the new file. If you
+even discuss something in the @code{ld} source, refer to it by context,
+not by line number.
+
+The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
+sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
+@end itemize
+
+Here are some things that are not necessary:
+
+@itemize @bullet
+@item
+A description of the envelope of the bug.
+
+Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
+which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
+changes will not affect it.
+
+This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
+will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
+with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
+We recommend that you save your time for something else.
+
+Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
+of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
+output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
+less time, and so on.
+
+However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
+report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
+
+@item
+A patch for the bug.
+
+A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
+the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
+a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
+to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
+
+Sometimes with programs as complicated as the binary utilities it is
+very hard to construct an example that will make the program follow a
+certain path through the code. If you do not send us the example, we
+will not be able to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that
+the bug is fixed.
+
+And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
+patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
+help us to understand.
+
+@item
+A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
+
+Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
+things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
+@end itemize
+
+@node Index
@unnumbered Index
@printindex cp